Partners Taryn McCain and Cody Traver founded Laughing Eyes Kennels in 2007 to breed and train service dogs for persons disabled by conditions affecting their mobility and psychiatric wellness.(See tasks at Psych Dog for more information). Laughing Eyes is a New Mexico nonprofit corporation, with 501c3 public charity status granted by the IRS. All of the Officers and Board Members serve without compensation.

Our application process is simple and includes separate avenues for service dog training organizations seeking puppies and dogs to fulfill their own client needs, and requests from individuals seeking a service dog trained by LEK. Please contact us to begin the process.

Board Members and Officers

Taryn McCain, JD, President, is a retired Boeing Attorney and Executive. Taryn is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, using clicker training and positive methods to bring out the best in LEK's dogs. She holds professional certificates in Service Dog Training and High- Schooled Assistance Dog instruction from Bergin University of Canine Studies. She is also a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator approved by the American Kennel Club. Taryn is a graduate of Leadership Lincoln in Lincoln County, NM and is Dog Program leader for the Malpais Colts 4H Club.

Gail Hovious, Vice President and Treasurer, volunteers as assistant trainer for LEK, drawing on 8 years of training experience in dog agility where bonding and communication are vital. She and her Australian Shepherds, working as a team, have earned numerous advanced titles and continue to compete throughout the Southwest. Gail also serves on the Board of the Lincoln County Humane Society, is a member of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Posse, and is a volunteer in youth ministry.

Chris Long, Corporate Secretary is a retired lawyer and clinical social worker, currently teaching GED classes for the Adult Literacy Council of Lincoln County. She has had a long standing interest in animal welfare issues and the ways in which interaction with animals benefits human‘s physical and mental health. She has been a volunteer dog handler at LEK since moving to the Ruidoso area , and currently serves as the Corporate Secretary for the Board of Directors.

Rob Hovious volunteers as web master and as an assistant handler at the kennels. He is a retired Real Estate Broker who had offices in Texas and New Mexico. He is a member of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Posse and volunteers in youth ministry and in Creel, Mexico at a mission to the Tarahumara Indians.

Mike Budd, While continuing to walk and to groom the "kids" at Laughing Eyes, Mike is pleased to be serving as a member of their board of directors.  In addition to this opportunity to serve, he volunteers at the New Mexico Work Force Connection as a GED mentor, as well as volunteering at the Hubbard Museum of the West, and serve on the board of directors of the Pinetop Car Club.  Prior to coming to New Mexico, Mike was active as a volunteer with Airedale Rescue of North Texas.  After thirty-three years as an educator and administrator, he  retired from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, coming to New Mexico as quickly as possible.

In Memoriam

Former President and Board Chair Cody Traver passed in 2009.Cody understood the needs of disabled persons first-hand, as she battled with debilitating illnesses affecting her own health. "laughing Eyes", which was Cody's name as a member of the Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas & Missouri, embodied the spirit she bore in her life & efforts.We will miss her energy, dedication and passion for helping disabled persons gain independence through the support and love of a service dog trained to meet their needs.